BUSINESSES in the region have been developing useful contacts during a month celebrating the environmental sector.

November was North-East Business Environment Month, with events across the region, including sessions devoted to woodfuel, sustainable practices and waste minimisation.

The highlight of the month, co-ordinated by the region's trade body the Environmental Industries Federation (EIF), was the Contact 2 Contract at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland.

Sponsored by Envirowise and Renew Tees Valley, the two-day event was designed to bring suppliers and buyers together.

Margaret Fay, chairman of One NorthEast, one of the event's sponsors, told delegates that the region's sector was worth £2.4bn last year, employing 22,000 people in 897 businesses.

She said: "This is clear evidence of the increasingly important role played by the sector in the region's regeneration.

"There are major opportunities for the region's environmental businesses, that are well placed to benefit. At one stage, some people saw the environmental sector as a fringe sector but it is now a major force in the North-East."

EIF chairman Pam Jose said at Contact 2 Contract: "We are absolutely delighted at the level of interest and involvement shown in this inaugural event, during which we managed to organise 200 one-to-one meetings between those looking to sell or purchase environmental products and services.

"It demonstrates the growing level of interest in the region in areas such as waste management, recycling, sustainability and renewable energy and a developing awareness of the business opportunities that these areas represent."

Neil Johnson, of IMS Engineering, of Durham, which manufactures and supplies waste management and material-handling equipment, said: "My primary objective was to make new customer contacts, which I managed to do by making follow-up appointments with three other EIF members.

"I also made contact with a company that look as if they might be able to provide us with some filtration equipment that we are looking to source for a project that we are currently working on."

Published: 13/12/2005